The Heiress Of Ronzerony

03

Chapter 3 | From Ash to Dust

Vyrane's dark hair was a contrast to the surroundings of Hailee. While the room was illuminating in a blinding white, his hair was a dark spot in the light. He stood still and confident, crossing his arms and setting his lips in a thin, hard line. "Not before food." he said in a final tone, and Hailee couldn't have laughed better. With a small glance in her way, she could see the amused ghost of a smile playing on his lips, but he kept them sealed and hid his smile in an attempt to seem serious.

With a clearance of her throat, Hailee regained her calmness and crossed her arms as well, moving closer to where Vyrane stood till she was standing right beside him. She pulled on a blank face and looked at her aunt. "Food first, Auntie." she said, looking at her dead in the eye the same way Vyrane was doing. She could feel Vyrane struggling beside her to keep from laughing as his chest vibrated next to her, and his lips were at war to not show the piercing whites of teeth he had.

"Hailee, it is no time for jokes now. This is a very serious matter." Aunt Penolope said strictly. "Well, it's no time for jokes either when I haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon! I'm starving!" Hailee whined, unlocking her arms from their tight posture and throwing them in the air. "Plus, who are we to protest against her Highness' wishes?" Vyrane included with a smirk. "You're somebody to talk, Son of Willace." snapped one of the Brothers at him. "You go around, and like a fool, cause destruction and fear everywhere your foot steps. You're just like your father, are you not? A Demon created by the Devil himself. In fact, your father was the Devil's own best friend and right man, was he not? A traitor to all of us. Not to mention-"

"One more word about my father, Brother Olympic, and I will be sure to cause trouble sooner than you think. Let us not forget that I have the key to the portal, and soon enough you would've been struggling to get to me if I hadn't been a gentleman and came to her Highness' rescue by myself." Vyrane interrupted, his voice a sharp dagger in the silence of the room, dripping with calm, dark fury and other unspoken threats. Brother Olympic shut his mouth immediately and looked away, gaining the harsh glares of his other Brothers.

"I'd like a cheeseburger for my meal." Aaron said, but his words, no matter how funnily unsuitable in that moment, could not shake the deathly aura Hailee felt radiating off Vyrane, who spun on his heel and sped out of the room, like lightning strucking the face of the Earth with great force. She ran after him, shooting the Brothers a disgusted glare beforehand, calling his name frantically. She ran down the long, dark corridor outside the room, her feet leading her to the hall where everyone was having the chillest time of their lives. She stopped mid step and looked around. Her eyes met no familiar face, especially not Vyrane's.

"Your majesty?" a voice called. She whirled around catching the sight of John, who had a concerned look on his face. "Oh, thank god!" she exclaimed with relief. "Tell me, Johnny, do you know where I might find Vyrane? As in-"

"Son of Willace, you mean." John said with a smile. "I happen to know, actually. He's right outside the building." he answered, pointing his thumb in the direction. "Are you telling me that I have to go through that sucking, suffocating vaccum all over again?" She asked, fear and anxiety eating up the cells of her brain impatiently. "I could lead you to another passageway, if you'd like." his offer was genuine and friendly, and Hailee couldn't bear to go through that horrifying mirror experience again. So with a hurried nod, they both flew down a set of stairs hidden in the corner near them, that led to an old, slightly cracked iron door with a wooden handle.

With a strong, determined twist from John on the door's handle, it creaked open, revealing the sight of the alley she walked down along her aunt, the Brothers and Vyrane. "Thank you." she breathed a smile, looking at John with grateful eyes. He nodded shyly and with a last bow, hurried up the stairs to the hall. Hailee stepped out of the building and in that moment she realized how suffocating the building was compared to the fresh air outside.